GlaxoSmithKline executive banned from leaving China

A senior British GlaxoSmithKline executive has been banned from leaving China as authorities investigate multimillion-pound bribery claims against the drugs giant

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GlaxoSmithKline

A senior British GlaxoSmithKline executive has been banned from leaving China as authorities investigate multimillion-pound bribery claims against the drugs giant.

Steve Nechelput, the company's finance director in China, has been told that he cannot leave, although he is free to move around the country.

Glaxo stressed that he had not been detained or questioned in relation to the bribery probe.

British diplomats are understood to have been in contact with Mr Nechelput and he is continuing to carry out his work.

The Chinese investigation centres on allegations that millions of pounds were funnelled through travel agencies to bribe doctors and health officials over six years, according to details that have emerged over the last week.

The gifts were said to have been illegally provided in order to boost sales and raise the price of medicines. There were also claims of "sexual bribery" as part of the alleged scam.

Authorities have named four other senior executives in relation to the claims. They said last week that suspects had confessed to the crime.

A Glaxo spokesman said: "We have been aware of travel restrictions for Steve since the end of June. His travel is unrestricted within China.